Volvo claims bio-fuel success

Volvo Trucks is claiming success for its field tests with vehicles powered by bio-dimethyl ether – a second-generation bio-fuel that can be made from wood or by-products and waste from agricultural production.

It reckons that because the DME fuel is produced from renewable, natural raw materials – it reduces carbon emissions by 95 per cent compared with diesel.

Volvo environmental director Lars Mårtensson said: “We have, for example, demonstrated both that the technology works in practice, when it comes to both the production of fuel and trucks in traffic, and that the infrastructure with filling stations in different parts of Sweden works effectively.”

Mårtensson reckons that bio-DME could replace up to 50 per cent of the diesel that is currently being consumed by commercial vehicles in Europe within the next 20 years.